1989 Domaine Zind-Humbrecht Riesling Rangen Clos St. Urbain Grand Cru

From a warm and sunny but balanced (excellent botrytis) vintage with regular rainfall, the amber-golden colored 1989 Riesling Clos Saint-Urbain Rangen de Thann is based on fruit picked on November 2. It's the first vintage with a very slow fermentation (over eight months, in fact). The wine opens with a deep, finely matured, smoky and darker-toned fruit aroma of crushed stones, ripe peaches and even oranges. There are also some sherry tones here without saying this is utterly oxidative. On the palate, this is a generous but refined, vital and mineral Rangen with charmingly round and lush fruit, fine savoriness and a long, well balanced and saline finish. Complex aftertaste. 12.8% alcohol with some unfermented residual sugar. Natural cork. Tasted as part of the large Rangen vertical in Wachenheim, Pfalz, in November 2023.